Herbert Deininger Dies of Bullet Wound

Herbert Deininger was the oldest son of William and Louisa (Muegge) Deininger, and brother to my great-grandmother Minnie (Deininger) Bohnsack. In November 1911, he was accidentally shot by his three-year-old brother Willis and later died of his injury. Herbert is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Galena, Illinois.

His death announcement provides details on the gun accident, appearing in the Galena Daily Gazette on November 14, 1911.

Death Announcement: Herbert Deininger

Transcription of Death Notice:

Boy Dies of Bullet Wound

Herbert Deininger Who Was Shot by Little Brother, Dead

Herbert Deininger, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Deininger of East Galena who was shot in the back by his little three-year-old brother, Willis, last Friday afternoon, died this morning at the family home at 5:30 o’clock.

The accident happened about 2:30 p.m. November 10th, while the two boys were out in a field watching the cows. The older lad who was past twelve years of age, had helped his father part of the day to husk corn and in the afternoon, went out to watch the cows, taking his brother Willis and a rifle with him. When out in the field, a board was set up as a target for the boy to shoot at and when Herbert laid the rifle down to go and set the target up, it was picked up by Willis, who pointed the gun and fired, the shot striking his brother in the back above the hip. The lad was taken to his home and a physician called, but inflammation from the bullet set in and he died this morning.

Besides his father and mother, he is survived by two brothers, Willis and John, and six sisters, Pauline, Amanda, Clara, Minnie, Rosie and Bertha, all at home.

The family has the sympathy of many friends and neighbors in their sad bereavement.

The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon from the house at 12 o’clock and from the German Lutheran church in this city at 1 o’clock, the Rev. Mr. Klingenberger officiating. Interment will be made at Greenwood Cemetery.

I’m not sure which Louisa Deininger to whom you are referring. Herbert Deininger’s mother, Louisa (Muegge) Deininger, married William Deininger Jr. She never married a Guthner and never lived in Colorado. She was born in Germany/East Prussia and died in Galena, Illinois.